Liverpool FC Transfers : Stewart Downing Would Be Better Fit Than Ashley Young

The first move of the summer transfer window is now a done deal. Twenty-year-old attacking-midfielder Jordan Henderson is the first signing since club legend Kenny Dalglish was announced as Liverpool's permanent manager.

The price of this signing has been quoted at £20million. John Henry is surely getting used to these hefty price tags for Englishmen, having funded £35million for Andy Carroll and now this.

King Kenny has made it clear that he wants to wrap up four-five signings preferably before the whole squad comes together for preseason training. So for many Reds fans, it's one done, four to go.

Plenty of names have been linked with the Reds since the window opened on the first of this month. Among them are Charlie Adams, Jose Enrique, Sylvain Marveaux, Ashley Young and Stewart Downing. The last two names are the focus of this article.

Even before the window officially opened, the Aston Villa duo have been heavily linked with a move to Anfield. But it is highly unlikely that both men would wear Red come next season.

So, that leaves Kenny and Comolli needing to do some serious thinking on who would be a better option to buy.

Personally, I feel signing Downing would represent a smarter choice for the Reds. The obvious factor is the price quoted for him. Downing would cost around £16million while former Watford star Young would cost around £25-30million. Those were the prices mentioned in reports. This means up to £20million could be saved if Liverpool sign Downing.

It is of high importance that Liverpool spend with some moderation in this window.

Downing also has more Premier League experience compared to Young. He can definitely teach the youngsters in Liverpool a thing or two, having that quality of being a leader on and off the pitch.

Aged 26, Downing has been playing with high consistency in the Premier League since his days at Middlesbrough.

Downing is also one of the best crossers of the ball in England, that quality which surely can be handy in supplying lanky club-record signing Andy Carroll with loads of goals.

As much as he is consistent when on the pitch, the 26-year-old Middlesbrough academy graduate is also known for getting consistently injured. Indeed, he did sit out almost the whole of his debut season in Villa because of injury.

He, however, must be praised for his efforts in staying fresh throughout the entire season last year. His effort bore fruit when he was awarded with the Aston Villa Player of the Year award last season. Oh yes, Young did not manage to get his hands on this prestigious award.

It must also be said that with Downing, you can expect him to stay in Anfield for the rest of his career, but you can't be that sure of that with Young. Young is a young, hungry player that could be impatient if Liverpool don't constantly win trophies. This will of course lead to frustration and the player would look to seek greener pastures with Liverpool than having to endure a cut-price in his sale. See the logic, guys?

With Stewart Downing in his prime years, I genuinely hope Kenny goes for him rather than take a gamble on Ashley Young.